"No child should have to see what you've seen—" she said softly, her voice steadier than she felt. "But know this—your family is avenged. And you are not alone."
The girl's lips trembled, her eyes reddening, yet not a single tear fell. Instead, she clung to Lara's side with desperate strength, as though anchoring herself to the only solid thing left in her shattered world. Her thin shoulders shook against Lara's chest. Lara wrapped her arms around the child, ignoring the ache that flared through her battered body, ignoring the curious eyes of the crowd. In that moment, there was no battlefield, no victory, no glory—only the fragile heartbeat of a broken child who had found hope in her.
At last, the girl pulled back, her small fingers still gripping Lara's hand. Her voice was faint, trembling. "Can you… please ... come with me? To see my family?"
